Sandra, you are a smart & generous woman. Not only were you smart enough to dicover that it was on but then you gave us the Blue Clickies to share it as well.
Vietnam was a watershed for many many Australians. My father, who had enlisted early in 1940 & did his time in Africa mainly, with a nasty coda in New Guinea near the end regarded the war as his making as a man & a citizen. He went in as a private (escaping a career as a clerk in a biscuit factory). He emerged as an officer with a couple of real medals, was convinced to make a career in the Army and that was how I was raised. We had no issues re the Korean War - hell, the Empire was fighting again!! But Vietman drove a breech between us. I was at Monash Uni in the early 60' doing history with the late lamented Ian Turner as my thesis supervisor. And to add to the mix it was uncertain whether I was in the draft or just too old! I wonted no part of it. Dad, on the other hand, thought a tour would be the making of me as he reviewed his war and was steadily urging me to volunteer.

In short, I residted his arguements although a few friends did indeed enlist. And as time went on & he realised that the government he had been trusting to protest the men were somewhat more interested in the political manouvrings he lost heart.

So, in his declining years, I have some happy memories (usually around Easter) where I would move the stereo into the back yard in the evening and we would spend hours listening to trad & popular folk from my collection. For trad read Pete, Woody, Kenneth McKellar, Martyn Wyndham Reid & the like. For pop, PP&M, CMT, KT,and of course Joan!! I am sad he never got to hear "I was only 19". I think he had mellowed enough by when it can out to accept the role of the Vietnsm Viets.

So, all of this came flooding back when I played the feature and heard those ringing chords chime out again. I own the commercial release CD - it is apparent that I don't play it enough! Even though I do get to meet John a few times a year at a friends vineyard.

Great Stuff Sandra

I think I might send it to Big Mick - I suspect the rebel in him will empsthise.

Cheers

Dave